Systems and methods for content streaming

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media can obtain a spherical media content item that captures at least one scene from a plurality of different positions. A three-dimensional shape having a plurality of faces is determined, each face being associated with a respective set of original boundaries. A respective set of expanded boundaries for one or more of the plurality of faces is determined. Respective portions of the spherical media content item are mapped to each of the one or more faces, wherein a first portion of the spherical media content item is mapped to a first face having a set of expanded boundaries.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/222,154, filed on Sep. 22, 2015 and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODSFOR CONTENT STREAMING”, which is incorporated in its entirety herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present technology relates to the field of content streaming. Moreparticularly, the present technology relates to techniques for encodingand streaming spherical or three-dimensional (3D) content.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of the present disclosure can include systems,methods, and non-transitory computer readable media configured todetermine at least one content item to be presented, the content itembeing composed using a set of content streams that capture at least onescene from a plurality of different positions. A viewport interface forpresenting the content item is determined, wherein the viewportinterface is associated with a viewport shape. The viewport interface isprovided through a display, wherein at least one content stream ispresented through the viewport interface, and wherein a portion of thecontent stream that corresponds to a region inside of the viewport shapeis presented at a first content quality.

In some embodiments, another portion of the content stream thatcorresponds to a region outside of the viewport shape is presented at asecond content quality that is lower than the first content quality.

In some embodiments, the systems, methods, and non-transitory computerreadable media are configured to obtain information describing a viewingpattern of a user accessing the content item, the viewing patterndetermined based at least in part on one or more other content itemsthat were accessed by the user and determine the viewport shape based atleast in part on the viewing pattern.

In some embodiments, the viewing pattern corresponds to changes in thedirection of the viewport interface during playback of at least aportion of the content item.

In some embodiments, the systems, methods, and non-transitory computerreadable media are configured to obtain information describing anaggregated viewing pattern of a plurality of users that accessed thecontent item and determine the viewport shape based at least in part onthe aggregated viewing pattern.

In some embodiments, the systems, methods, and non-transitory computerreadable media are configured to determine that the viewport shapereduces a rate at which content streams are switched during playback ofthe content item.

In some embodiments, the viewport shape corresponds to one of a diamondshape, an oval shape, a rectangular shape, or another polygonal shape.

In some embodiments, the set of content streams collectively capture a360-degree view of the scene.

In some embodiments, the at least one content stream being presentedthrough the viewport interface is selected based at least in part on adirection of the viewport interface relative to the scene.

In some embodiments, the systems, methods, and non-transitory computerreadable media are configured to determine a change in the direction ofthe viewport interface, determine that the changed direction correspondsto a different portion of the scene that was captured in a secondcontent stream, and provide the second content stream through theviewport interface.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure can include systems,methods, and non-transitory computer readable media configured to obtaina spherical media content item that captures at least one scene from aplurality of different positions. A three-dimensional object having aplurality of faces is determined, each face being associated with arespective set of original boundaries. A respective set of expandedboundaries for one or more of the plurality of faces is determined.Respective portions of the spherical media content item are mapped toeach of the one or more faces, wherein a first portion of the sphericalmedia content item is mapped to a first face having a set of expandedboundaries.

In some embodiments, the expanded boundaries corresponding to the firstface are determined based at least in part on an adjusted mapping angle.

In some embodiments, the systems, methods, and non-transitory computerreadable media are configured to determine a mapping angle forprojecting the first portion of the spherical media content item to thefirst face of the three-dimensional object based at least in part on aset of original boundaries corresponding to the first face and adjustthe mapping angle, wherein the first portion of the spherical mediacontent item is projected onto the first face at the adjusted mappingangle.

In some embodiments, the adjusted mapping angle is greater than themapping angle.

In some embodiments, the systems, methods, and non-transitory computerreadable media are configured to cause a second portion of the sphericalmedia content item to be projected to a second face of thethree-dimensional object, the second face having a set of expandedboundaries, wherein the second face is adjacent to the first face, andwherein the projected first portion and the projected second portionoverlap at least partially.

In some embodiments, the three-dimensional object is a cube, and whereina respective portion of the spherical media content item is mapped toeach face of the cube.

In some embodiments, a top view portion of the spherical media contentitem is mapped to a top view square in the cube, a left view portion ofthe spherical media content item is mapped to a left view square in thecube, a right view portion of the spherical media content item is mappedto a right view square in the cube, a front view portion of thespherical media content item is mapped to a front view square in thecube, a back view portion of the spherical media content item is mappedto a back view square in the cube, and a bottom view portion of thespherical media content item is mapped to a bottom view square in thecube.

In some embodiments, the systems, methods, and non-transitory computerreadable media are configured to apply an image obscuring process to atleast a portion of the first face.

In some embodiments, the systems, methods, and non-transitory computerreadable media are configured to apply a low-pass filter to the portionof the first face.

In some embodiments, the systems, methods, and non-transitory computerreadable media are configured to apply a blur to the portion of thefirst face.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure can include systems,methods, and non-transitory computer readable media configured to obtaina spherical media content item that captures at least one scene from aplurality of different positions. A three-dimensional object with aplurality of faces that converge at a point is determined. At least afirst portion of the spherical media content item is mapped to at leasta first face in the plurality of faces.

In some embodiments, the systems, methods, and non-transitory computerreadable media are configured to cause the first portion of thespherical media content item to be projected onto the first face.

In some embodiments, the first portion corresponds to a first view ofthe scene, and wherein the first face corresponds to a base region ofthe three-dimensional object.

In some embodiments, the systems, methods, and non-transitory computerreadable media are configured to project a second portion of thespherical media content item onto a second face in the plurality offaces, wherein the second face corresponds to a side region of thethree-dimensional object.

In some embodiments, the first portion being projected onto the firstface has a higher graphical quality than the second portion beingprojected onto the second face.

In some embodiments, a graphical quality at which the second portion isbeing projected onto the second face becomes progressively lower as thesecond face converges at the point.

In some embodiments, the three-dimensional object includes a base towhich the plurality of faces are connected, and wherein the plurality offaces converge at an apex.

In some embodiments, the three-dimensional object is a pyramid, andwherein the base corresponds to a diamond shape.

In some embodiments, the three-dimensional object is a cone, and whereinthe base corresponds to an oval shape.

In some embodiments, the three-dimensional object corresponds to ateardrop shape.

It should be appreciated that many other features, applications,embodiments, and/or variations of the disclosed technology will beapparent from the accompanying drawings and from the following detaileddescription. Additional and/or alternative implementations of thestructures, systems, non-transitory computer readable media, and methodsdescribed herein can be employed without departing from the principlesof the disclosed technology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-E illustrate examples of streaming a spherical video, accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A-D illustrate examples of generating new streams of a sphericalvideo based on user behavior, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 3A-B illustrates examples of streaming a spherical video based onsocial predictive data, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example scenario associated with utilizingpolygonal media mapping, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example scenario associated with utilizing edgeexpansion for polygonal media mapping, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4C illustrates an example scenario associated with utilizing edgeexpansion for polygonal media mapping, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4D illustrates an example scenario associated with utilizing edgeexpansion for polygonal media mapping, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4E illustrates an example scenario associated with utilizing edgeexpansion for polygonal media mapping, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example scenario associated with utilizingpolygonal media mapping, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5B illustrates an example scenario associated with utilizingpolygonal media mapping, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5C illustrates an example scenario associated with utilizingpolygonal media mapping, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5D illustrates an example scenario associated with utilizingpolygonal media mapping, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6A illustrates an example scenario associated with mappingspherical media to a three dimensional geometrical object with aconverged point, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6B illustrates an example scenario associated with mappingspherical media to a three dimensional geometrical object with aconverged point, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6C illustrates an example scenario associated with mappingspherical media to a three dimensional geometrical object with aconverged point, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6D illustrates an example scenario associated with mappingspherical media to a three dimensional geometrical object with aconverged point, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6E illustrates an example scenario associated with mappingspherical media to a three dimensional geometrical object with aconverged point, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6F illustrates an example scenario associated with mappingspherical media to a three dimensional geometrical object with aconverged point, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example method for presenting content, accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates another example method for presenting content,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates yet another example method for presenting content,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a network diagram of an example system including anexample social networking system that can be utilized in variousscenarios, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a computer system or computing devicethat can be utilized in various scenarios, according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

The figures depict various embodiments of the disclosed technology forpurposes of illustration only, wherein the figures use like referencenumerals to identify like elements. One skilled in the art will readilyrecognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments ofthe structures and methods illustrated in the figures can be employedwithout departing from the principles of the disclosed technologydescribed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Content Streaming

People use computing systems (or devices) for various purposes. Userscan utilize their computing systems to establish connections, engage incommunications, interact with one another, and/or interact with varioustypes of content. In some cases, computing devices can be configured toprovide spherical media content, such as spherical videos. For example,a virtual reality (VR) computing device can be configured to displayspherical media content. When a user of the virtual reality computingdevice (e.g., headset, glasses, etc.) turns his or her head, the user'sview, or the displayed area, of the spherical media content item can beadjusted accordingly. In another example, a mobile or wearable computingdevice, such as a smartphone, a tablet, or a smart watch, can beconfigured to display spherical media content. Movements or changes inposition to the mobile or wearable computing device can cause thedisplayed portion of the spherical media content to be modified as well.In a further example, a desktop computing device can display sphericalmedia content. Based on commands or interactions via the desktopcomputing device's input mechanisms (e.g., mouse, keyboard), thedisplayed or viewable portion of the spherical media content can too bechanged accordingly.

In some cases, conventional approaches rooted in computer technology formedia processing can, for data efficiency purposes, attempt to map aspherical media content item (e.g., a spherical image, a sphericalvideo, etc.) onto a rectangle, such as via an equirectangular projectiontechnique. However, equirectangular projection can result in thespherical media content item being undesirably distorted inrepresentation when mapped onto the rectangle. Moreover, in someinstances, conventional approaches rooted in computer technology formedia processing can attempt to map the spherical media content itemonto a three dimensional cube, such as via a cube mapping technique.Corresponding portions of the spherical media content item can, forinstance, be mapped onto six faces (e.g., inner surfaces) of the cube.However, in accordance with such conventional approaches, when the sixfaces are connected together to form a cubical representation of thespherical media content item, there can be undesirable visible seamsand/or distortions where the edges of the six faces are connected.

Due to these or other concerns, conventional approaches can bedisadvantageous or problematic. Therefore, an improved approach can bebeneficial for addressing or alleviating various drawbacks associatedwith conventional approaches. In one example, the disclosed technologycan utilize polygonal edge expansion for spherical media mapping.Various embodiments of the present disclosure can acquire (i.e.,retrieve, receive, identify, select, access, etc.) a spherical mediacontent item. A three dimensional geometrical object including aplurality of polygonal faces can be selected (i.e., defined, preset,identified, etc.). A respective set of edges, included with eachpolygonal face in the plurality of polygonal faces, can be expandedoutward to produce a respective set of expanded edges included with eachpolygonal face. A respective portion of the spherical media content itemcan be mapped to each polygonal face including the respective set ofexpanded edges. At least a first polygonal face including a first set ofexpanded edges can be connectable to at least a second polygonal faceincluding a second set of expanded edges to produce at least a portionof a representation of the spherical media content item. Other improvedapproaches for overcoming drawbacks that typically arise in conventionalapproaches are also described herein.

FIGS. 1A-E illustrate examples of streaming a spherical video, accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1A illustrates anexample 100 of a viewport 104 displaying a portion of a video stream 106of a spherical video. The viewport 104 is shown in the diagram of FIG.1A as being positioned within a representation 102 of a spherical videoto facilitate understanding of the various embodiments described herein.In some embodiments, a spherical video captures a 360-degree view of athree-dimensional scene. The spherical video can be created by a singlecamera or by stitching together various video streams, or feeds, thatwere captured by cameras positioned at different locations and/orpositions to capture a 360 degree view of the scene.

Once stitched together, a user can access, or playback, the sphericalvideo through a viewport 104 to view a portion of the spherical video atsome angle. The viewport 104 may be viewed through video player softwareon a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a mobile device such as amobile phone or tablet, and/or a virtual reality system or a headmounted display, for example. The stitched spherical video can beprojected as a sphere, as illustrated by the representation 102.Generally, while accessing the spherical video, the user can change thedirection (e.g., pitch, yaw, roll) of the viewport 104 to access anotherportion of the scene captured by the spherical video. FIG. 1Billustrates an example 150 in which the direction of the viewport 154has changed in an upward motion (e.g., as compared to viewport 104) and,as a result, the video stream 156 of the spherical video being accessedthrough the viewport 154 has been updated (e.g., as compared to videostream 106) to show the portion of the spherical video that correspondsto the updated viewport direction.

The direction of the viewport 104 may be changed in various waysdepending on the implementation. For example, while accessing thespherical video through a video player running on a computing device,the user may change the direction of the viewport 104 using a mouse orsimilar device or through a gesture recognized by the computing device.As the direction changes, the viewport 104 can be provided a streamcorresponding to that direction, for example, from a content providersystem which may, for example, be remotely hosted on one or moreservers. In another example, while accessing the spherical video througha display screen of a mobile device, the user may change the directionof the viewport 104 by changing the direction (e.g., pitch, yaw, roll)of the mobile device as determined, for example, using gyroscopes,accelerometers, touch sensors, and/or inertial measurement units in themobile device. Further, if accessing the spherical video through avirtual reality head mounted display, the user may change the directionof the viewport 104 by changing the direction of the user's head (e.g.,pitch, yaw, roll). Naturally, other approaches may be utilized fornavigating playback of a spherical video including, for example, touchscreen or other suitable gestures.

As mentioned, the spherical video for the scene can be created bystitching together camera feeds taken of the scene at various positions.When changing the direction of the viewport 104, the viewport 104 can beprovided a stream of the spherical video that may be composed of one ormore camera feeds taken of the scene. Such streams may be pre-determinedfor various angles (e.g., 0 degree, 30 degrees, 60 degrees, etc.) of thespherical video and the viewport may be provided the appropriate streambased on its direction (e.g., taking into account one or both of angleand position within the full 360-degree scene).

In some embodiments, the stream(s) being provided, for example, by acontent provider system, is provided in real-time based on thedetermined direction of the viewport 104. For example, when thedirection of the viewport 104 changes to a new position, the computingdevice through which the viewport 104 is being accessed and/or thecontent provider system can determine the new position of the viewport104 and the content provider system can send, to the computing device,stream data corresponding to the new position. Thus, in suchembodiments, each change in the viewport 104 position is monitored, inreal-time (e.g., constantly or at specified time intervals) andinformation associated with the change is provided to the contentprovider system such that the content provider system may send theappropriate stream that corresponds to the change in direction.

In some embodiments, the stream (e.g., data, bits, etc.) being providedcan be adjusted based on, or in part on, a viewport shape, asillustrated in FIGS. 1C-E. In some embodiments, a viewport for aspherical video is determined based on the direction (e.g., angle) ofthe spherical video that is being viewed and the shape being utilizedfor the viewport. For example, the viewport can be associated with ashape that reflects a general viewing pattern of a scene captured by aspherical video. In various embodiments, the video content (e.g.,pixels) within the viewport shape boundary can be streamed at a higherencoding, or bit rate, so that users can see higher quality content inthe areas of the scene that correspond to the general viewing patternwhile providing lower quality content in the areas of the scene thatusers generally do not view. In various embodiments, viewport shapes maybe customized for specific users and/or spherical videos. Further,different viewport shapes may be utilized for different portions of agiven spherical video. Such viewport shapes may be determined, forexample, by analyzing the viewing patterns of individual users and/or byanalyzing, in the aggregate, user viewing patterns for various sphericalvideos. When analyzing viewing patterns, a computing system can analyzethe changes made to the direction of the viewport by users over someperiod of time or throughout playback of a spherical video. Such changesmay be the result of the user changing the direction of the viewport byusing a mouse or a gesture, by changing the orientation of a mobiledevice, or changing the orientation of a virtual reality head mounteddisplay (e.g., changes to pitch, yaw, roll as determined by headtracking information). In some embodiments, the viewport shape may bedetermined based, in part, on a cost function for utilizing differentviewport shapes for each time interval (e.g., one second). For example,a cost function may be based on utilizing a viewport shape that reducesthe rate at which streams are switched during playback of the sphericalvideo. In one example, if the viewport shape causes the streams toswitch often, for example, due to the viewport shape being too small,then more data may need to be downloaded to facilitate continuedplayback of the video. This can result in a sub-optimal viewingexperience for the user.

FIG. 1C illustrates an example scene 160 for which it may be determinedthat users that view the scene 160 generally exhibit a vertical andhorizontal viewing pattern without viewing the corners of the scene. Inthis example, based on user behavior, a diamond viewport shape 162 maybe utilized so that video content that is within the viewport shapeboundary 162 can be streamed at a higher quality (e.g., bit rate) whilevideo content outside 164 of the viewport shape 162 can be streamed at alower quality (e.g., bit rate).

FIG. 1D illustrates an example scene 170 for which an oval shapedviewport shape 172 is being utilized. For example, an oval shapedviewport shape 172 may be utilized when it is determined that usersviewing the spherical video generally change the position of theviewport left to right (e.g., more than changing the positionvertically). In this example, video content for the scene 170 can bestreamed at a higher quality (e.g., bit rate) inside the viewport 172while video content outside 174 of the viewport shape 172 can bestreamed at a lower quality.

FIG. 1E illustrates an example scene 180 for which a rectangular shapedviewport shape 182 is being utilized. In this example, video content forthe scene 180 can be streamed at a higher quality (e.g., bit rate)inside the viewport 182 while video content outside 184 of the viewportshape 182 can be streamed at a lower quality.

FIGS. 2A-D illustrate examples of generating new streams of a sphericalvideo based on user behavior, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. As mentioned, a spherical video for a scene can be createdby stitching together camera feeds taken of the scene at variouspositions. When accessing the spherical video through a viewport, theviewport can be provided a stream that corresponds to the direction(including, e.g., angle or position) of the viewport in the sphericalvideo. The stream provided may be composed of one or more of the camerafeeds taken of the scene. Such streams may be pre-determined for variousangles (e.g., 0 degree, 30 degrees, 60 degrees, etc.) of the sphericalvideo and the viewport may be provided the appropriate stream based onits direction.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example diagram 202 of a spherical video. Thediagram 202 is provided in two-dimensional form to facilitateunderstanding of the various embodiments described herein. As shown inFIG. 2A, the example spherical video is composed of the streams 204,206, 208, and 210. A content provider system can determine which streamto send to a computing device based on the direction of the viewport 212associated with the computing device. In one example, as illustrated inFIG. 2B, the viewport 232 is facing a direction that corresponds to thedirection associated with the stream 226. In this example, the contentprovider system can send data corresponding to the stream 226 to bepresented through the viewport 232. The number of streams illustratedserve merely as examples and any number of streams may be utilized for agiven spherical video.

In some embodiments, the streams (e.g., angles of streams) for aspherical video can be refined, or adjusted, based at least in part onuser viewing patterns. For example, FIG. 2C illustrates a diagram 242 ofa spherical video that is composed of the streams 246, 248, 250, and252. As shown, the viewport 244 is facing a direction that is betweenthe two streams 246 and 248. In instances where the viewport 244 isfacing a direction in between streams, the quality and/or experience ofthe spherical video being presented may degrade. Thus, in someembodiments, if a threshold number of users are determined to view aregion, or direction, of the spherical video that is not served well bythe existing streams 246, 248, 250, or 252, as illustrated in FIG. 2C,for example, then additional streams can be generated for the sphericalvideo for the direction corresponding to the region or direction beingviewed. For example, a determination may be made that a spherical videothat has a first stream corresponding to a first direction (e.g., 0degrees) and a second stream corresponding to a second direction (e.g.,30 degrees) needs a third stream corresponding to a third direction(e.g., 15 degrees) to be generated to enhance the user viewingexperience. FIG. 2D illustrates an example diagram 262 of the sphericalvideo in which the angles of the streams 246 and 248 of FIG. 2C havebeen adjusted to streams 266 and 270 with an additional stream 268corresponding to the angle or view direction of the region that waspreviously unavailable in the example of FIG. 2C.

FIGS. 3A-B illustrates examples of streaming a spherical video based onsocial predictive data, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In some embodiments, changes made by various users to aviewport direction while accessing a spherical video can be measured andevaluated, in the aggregate. These aggregated changes may be used todetermine directions in which users generally position the viewportwhile watching the spherical video at a given playback time. Thesedetermined directions may be used to predict, for a user who has not yetviewed the spherical video, what direction the user may position theviewport at a given time. Such predictions may be utilized to enhancethe playback of the video, for example, by sending the appropriatestream data for a certain direction prior to the viewport directionbeing changed to that direction (e.g., buffering the stream before it isin use). For example, a determination may be made that, while watch aspherical video, 70 percent of users changed the direction being viewedstarting from viewport A to viewport B at playback time 5 seconds (i.e.,5 seconds into playback of the spherical video) while 30 percent ofusers changed the direction being viewed starting from viewport A toviewport C at playback time 5 seconds. In this example, viewport Acorresponds to a first viewing direction of the spherical video,viewport B corresponds to a second viewing direction of the sphericalvideo, and viewport C corresponds to a third viewing direction of thespherical video. In various embodiments, such user data can be used togenerate a probability transition map (e.g., a Markov model) thatprovides a likelihood of a user viewing a first viewport directiontransitioning to a second viewport direction at a given playback time.

For example, FIG. 3A illustrates an example portion of a probabilitytransition map 304 for a spherical video 302 that was generated bymonitoring and measuring changes made by users to the viewport directionwhile viewing the spherical video 302. The number of viewports includedin the probability transition map as well as the intervals at whichtransitions are made can vary depending on the implementation or themodel used. For example, a probability transition map may includetransition information for several viewports at every second of playbacktime for the spherical video. In this example, the probabilitytransition map 304 indicates that users watching the spherical video atviewport A (VA) at playback time 0 seconds were 90 percent likely toremain viewing viewport A at playback time 5 seconds and such users were10 percent likely to transition to switch to viewing viewport B (VB) atplayback time 5 seconds. The probability transition map 304 alsoindicates that users watching the spherical video at viewport B atplayback time 0 seconds were 85 percent likely to transition to viewportA at playback time 5 seconds and such users were 15 percent likely toremain viewing viewport B at playback time 5 seconds. In this example,it can be determined that users accessing viewport A or viewport B atplayback time 0 seconds are very likely to be accessing viewport A atplayback time 5 seconds.

In various embodiments, a probability transition map for a sphericalvideo can be utilized to predict the viewing direction of users for thespherical video at any given playback time. Such information can beutilized to improve the streaming of video content between a computingdevice (e.g., mobile device, virtual reality head mounted apparatus,etc.) through which the spherical video is being accessed and thecontent provider system. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, in some embodiments,a probability transition map of a spherical video being accessed by acomputing device 350 can be utilized by both the computing device 350and the content provider system 354. In one example, the contentprovider system 354 can use the probability transition map to determinewhich viewports, or streams, of the spherical video should be cached,for example, in the data store 356 that is being utilized by the contentprovider system 354, so that such data can quickly be provided to theappropriate computing devices. Similarly, in some embodiments, thecomputing device 350 can utilize the probability transition map torequest and buffer the viewports, or streams, that the user accessingthe computing device 350 is likely to view over some period of time. Forexample, if the probability transition map indicates that 99 percent ofusers who look at viewport A of the spherical video at playback time 1second will continue to look at viewport A at playback time 5 seconds,then the computing device 350 can request and/or buffer datacorresponding to viewport A. In another example, if the probabilitytransition map indicates that 50 percent of users that look at viewportA at playback time 1 second will look at viewport A at playback time 5seconds and 40 percent of users that look at viewport A at playback time1 second will look at viewport B at playback time 5 seconds, then thecomputing device 350 can request and/or buffer data corresponding toboth viewport A and viewport B.

As mentioned, a probability transition map can be generated for a givenspherical video by analyzing user viewing patterns in the aggregate. Insome embodiments, however, multiple probability transition maps can begenerated for a given spherical video with each probability transitionmap corresponding to a particular group of users that, for example,exhibit similar viewing patterns or exhibit any other similarcharacteristic (e.g., demographics including geographic location, age,actions or interests expressed on a social-networking system, etc.). Inone example, there may be one group of users that prefer to watch actionscenes while another group of users prefers to watch scenic scenes. Insome embodiments, a clustering algorithm may be applied to segregatesuch users into separate groups based on correlating which viewports theusers watched at a given playback time. A separate probabilitytransition map may be determined and utilized for such groups of users.For example, if it is known that a user accessing a spherical videothrough the computing device 350 belongs to a group of users that preferto watch a certain stream, or viewport, of the video at a particularplayback time, then the computing device 350 can be configured toutilize such information to customize the requesting and/or buffering ofthe stream, or viewport, for the particular playback time. Similarly,the content provider system 354 can optimize the caching of the relevantstream or viewport based on such information.

In some embodiments, the approaches described herein may be applied tolegacy clients (e.g., video players) that are not able to playbackspherical videos and/or utilize virtual reality apparatuses. In oneexample, a viewport for such legacy clients may be determined based onthe directions of a spherical video that are viewed by a thresholdnumber of users throughout the timeline of the spherical video. Suchinformation may be determined, for example, using probability transitionmaps that have been determined for the spherical video. The viewportsdetermined for legacy clients can, therefore, move through the sphericalvideo over time so that the legacy clients can still see the relevantportions of the spherical video even without a video player that is ableto process spherical videos.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example scenario 400 associated with utilizingpolygonal media mapping, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The example scenario 400 illustrates a spherical mediacontent item 402 within a three dimensional cube object 404 onto whichthe spherical media content item 402 is to be mapped, such as for dataefficiency purposes. In some cases, the spherical media content item 402can correspond to a spherical video (e.g., a 360-degree sphericalvideo). As shown, the three dimensional cube object 404 can be formed bysix faces or surfaces (e.g., squares), including a front face 406.

In some embodiments, a front portion of the spherical video 402 can bemapped onto the front face 406 of the cube object 404. Similarly, a backportion of the spherical video 402 can be mapped onto a back face of thecube object 404. A top portion of the spherical video 402 can be mappedonto a top face of the cube object 404. A bottom portion of thespherical video 402 can be mapped onto a bottom face of the cube object404. A left portion of the spherical video 402 can be mapped onto a leftface of the cube object 404. A right portion of the spherical video 402can be mapped onto a right face of the cube object 404.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example scenario 420 associated with utilizingedge expansion for polygonal media mapping, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure. The example scenario 420 illustrates across-sectional view of the spherical media content item 402 and thethree dimensional cube object 404 (i.e., cube) of FIG. 4A. In somecases, the cross-sectional view can correspond to a verticalcross-sectional view, such as viewing through the right side of the cube404. In some instances, the cross-sectional view can correspond to ahorizontal cross-sectional view, such as viewing through the top side ofthe cube 404.

As discussed previously, the front portion of the spherical mediacontent item 402 (e.g., spherical video) can be mapped or projected ontothe front face 406 of the cube 404. In some cases, conventionalapproaches to cube mapping can utilize a mapping angle 408 of 90degrees, as shown in FIG. 4B. As such, a portion of the spherical video402 between the two legs of the mapping angle 408 can correspond to thefront portion of the spherical video 402 and can be mapped or projectedonto the front face 406 of the cube 404.

Various embodiments of the disclosed technology can utilize polygonaledge expansion for spherical media mapping. As shown in the examplescenario 420, the disclosed technology can expand the edges of the frontface 406 outward based on an expanded mapping angle 410 that is greaterthan the original mapping angle 408 of 90 degrees. As a result, thefront face 406 can be expanded to include the expanded edges 412.Moreover, the front portion of the spherical video 402 can correspond toa portion of the spherical video 402 between the two legs of theexpanded mapping angle 410 and can be mapped or projected onto the frontface 406 including the expanded edges 412. This process can be repeatedfor all other faces of the cube 404. Thus, when the six faces (includingtheir respective expanded edges) are connected to form a cubicalrepresentation of the spherical video 402 for presentation, thedistortions and/or other undesirable visual qualities potentiallylocated where the faces connect can be reduced or removed by thedisclosed technology. The respective expanded edges can result inoverlapping portions or subregions in the faces or segments.

In one instance, when the original mapping angle 408 corresponds to 90degrees, the expanded mapping angle 410 can correspond to 100 degrees.It should be understood that any suitable degree value can be used. Itis also contemplated that all examples herein are provided forillustrative purposes and that many variations associated with thedisclosed technology are possible.

FIG. 4C illustrates an example scenario 440 associated with utilizingedge expansion for polygonal media mapping, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure. The example scenario 440 illustrates anotherview of the spherical video 402, the cube 404, and the front face 406including the expanded edges 412 of FIG. 4B.

FIG. 4D illustrates an example scenario 460 associated with utilizingedge expansion for polygonal media mapping, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure. The example scenario 460 illustrates thespherical video 402, the cube 404, and the front face 406 including theexpanded edges 412 of FIG. 4C. Moreover, the example scenario 460 ofFIG. 4D illustrates all other expanded edges included with all six facesof the cube 406.

FIG. 4E illustrates an example scenario 480 associated with utilizingedge expansion for polygonal media mapping, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure. The example scenario 480 illustrates thespherical video 402, the cube 404, and the front face 406 of FIG. 4D. Insome implementations, as shown in the example scenario 480 of FIG. 4E,the expanded edges 412 of all six faces of the cube 404 can appear to beflaps extending outward from each face.

Again, many variations associated with the disclosed technology arepossible. For instance, the three dimensional geometrical object neednot be limited to a cube object, and any suitable polygons can be usedas faces for the three dimensional geometrical object. Furthermore, asdiscussed above, various embodiments of the present disclosure canacquire (i.e., retrieve, receive, identify, select, access, etc.) aspherical media content item. A three dimensional geometrical objectincluding a plurality of polygonal faces can be selected (i.e., defined,preset, identified, etc.). A respective set of edges, included with eachpolygonal face in the plurality of polygonal faces, can be expandedoutward to produce a respective set of expanded edges included with eachpolygonal face. A respective portion of the spherical media content itemcan be mapped to each polygonal face including the respective set ofexpanded edges. At least a first polygonal face including a first set ofexpanded edges can be connectable to at least a second polygonal faceincluding a second set of expanded edges to produce at least a portionof a representation of the spherical media content item. In anembodiment, at least the first polygonal face including the first set ofexpanded edges being connectable to at least the second polygonal faceincluding the second set of expanded edges can reduce one or moredistortions where at least the first polygonal face and at least thesecond polygonal face are connectable.

In an embodiment, the three dimensional geometrical object cancorrespond to a cube. The plurality of polygonal faces can correspond tosix squares. The six squares can include a top view square, a left viewsquare, a front view square, a right view square, a back view square,and a bottom view square.

In an embodiment, an amount of outward expansion for the respective setof edges can be determined. The amount of outward expansion can be basedon an expanded mapping angle greater than 90 degrees.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example scenario 500 associated with utilizingpolygonal media mapping, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The example scenario 500 illustrates a virtual rectangle 502in which a plurality of polygonal faces can be packed or packaged. Thearea of the virtual rectangle may, for example, represent or beassociated with a total amount of data (e.g., a file size) used torepresent a content item. The plurality of polygonal faces can beincluded in, can form, and/or can be included as a part of, a threedimensional geometric object. In this example scenario 500, theplurality of polygonal faces can include six squares or facesconnectable to form a three dimensional cube object. The threedimensional cube object can represent a spherical media content itemand/or can be used for mapping the spherical media content item. In someembodiments, the six squares can be packed into the virtual rectangle502 for transmission and potential presentation. However, conventionalapproaches can be inefficient.

For instance, there can be a top view square 504 (for mapping orrepresenting a top portion of the spherical media content item), a leftview square 506 (for mapping or representing a left portion of thespherical media content item), a front view square 508 (for mapping orrepresenting a front portion of the spherical media content item), aright view square 510 (for mapping or representing a right portion ofthe spherical media content item), a back view square 512 (for mappingor representing a back portion of the spherical media content item), anda bottom view square 514 (for mapping or representing a bottom portionof the spherical media content item), as shown. However, in accordancewith conventional approaches to fitting and/or placing the six squaresin the virtual rectangle 502 for media transmission and/or processing,there can be a significant amount of wasted data space 516, as shown inFIG. 5A.

FIG. 5B illustrates an example scenario 520 associated with utilizingpolygonal media mapping, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The example scenario 520 illustrates a virtual rectangle 522in which a set of six squares (e.g., a right view square 524, a leftview square 526, a top view square 528, a bottom view square 530, afront view square 532, and a back view square 534) can be fitted,placed, packed, or packaged.

In some implementations, the disclosed technology can provide animproved approach to packing such data for transmission, storage, usage,and/or other processing. As shown in the example scenario 520, in anembodiment, the six squares can be organized into two horizontal rowsand three vertical columns. The six squares can be organized to form thevirtual rectangle 522 which may be smaller in total size in comparisonto virtual rectangle 502. Accordingly, the disclosed technology mayreduce and/or remove wasted data space, as shown. This improves dataefficiency. The virtual rectangle 522 can then be transmitted forpresentation. The representation of the spherical media content item canbe enabled to be presented based on reorganizing the six squares. Therepresentation of the spherical media content item can correspond to acubical representation.

In an embodiment, reorganizing the six squares can include placing thetop view square into an inner top square of the cubical representation,placing the left view square into an inner left square of the cubicalrepresentation, placing the front view square into an inner front squareof the cubical representation, placing the right view square into aninner right square of the cubical representation, placing the back viewsquare into an inner back square of the cubical representation, andplacing the bottom view square into an inner bottom square of thecubical representation.

In one instance, the placement and/or order of the six squares in thevirtual rectangle 522 can be modified. In another instance, theorientation, position, and/or shape of the virtual rectangle 522 can bemodified, such as to have three horizontal rows and two vertical columnsinstead. It should be appreciated that many variations are possible.

FIG. 5C illustrates an example scenario 540 associated with utilizingpolygonal media mapping, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The example scenario 540 illustrates the virtual rectangle522 of FIG. 5B in which the set of six squares (e.g., a right viewsquare 524, a left view square 526, a top view square 528, a bottom viewsquare 530, a front view square 532, and a back view square 534) can befitted, placed, packed, or packaged. The six squares or faces can beconnectable to form a three dimensional cube, which can represent aspherical media content item and/or onto which the spherical mediacontent item can be mapped.

In an embodiment, the disclosed technology can identify a back portionof the cube. A subset of the six squares that represents, at least inpart, the back portion of the cube can also be identified. An imageobscuring process (e.g., low-pass filtering or blurring) can be appliedto at least a portion of each square in the subset. In some cases, theimage obscuring process applied to at least the portion of each squarein the subset can improve efficiency in media processing for thespherical media content item, such as in video compression for aspherical video. As shown in the example scenario 540 of FIG. 5C, ablurring process can be applied to a right portion 544 of the right viewsquare 524, a left portion 546 of the left view square 526, a topportion 548 of the top view square 528, a bottom portion 550 of thebottom view square 530, none of the front view square 532, and anentirety of the back view square 534. Moreover, when a cubicalrepresentation of the spherical media content item is formed based onthe six squares, the cubical representation can have higher visualquality (e.g., resolution) in its front portion (or any portioncurrently being viewed or typically more frequently viewed by users) andlower visual quality in its back portion, where users are not currentlyviewing or where they typically view less frequently.

It should be understood that many variations are possible. For example,the image obscuring process can pixelate at least the portion of eachsquare in the identified subset, draw/color over at least the portion ofeach square in the identified subset, and/or remove/erase at least theportion of each square in the identified subset, etc.

FIG. 5D illustrates an example scenario 560 associated with utilizingpolygonal media mapping, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The example scenario 560 illustrates a three dimensionalcube 562, which can represent a spherical media content item 564 and/oronto which the spherical media content item 564 can be mapped.

In an embodiment, the disclosed technology can identify a back portionof the cube. A remaining portion (e.g., non-back portion, front portion,etc.) can also be identified. A first subset 566 of rectangular portionsrepresenting, at least in part, the back portion of the cube and asecond subset 568 of rectangular portions representing, at least inpart, the remaining portion (e.g., front portion) of the cube can beidentified out of the six squares. The first subset 566 of rectangularportions can be downscaled to produce a downscaled subset 570 ofrectangular portions. The downscaled subset 570 of rectangular portionsand the second subset 568 of rectangular portions can be downscaled toform a virtual rectangle 572. Accordingly, when a cubical representationof the spherical media content item 564 is formed based on thedownscaled subset 570 of rectangular portions and the second subset 568of rectangular portions, the cubical representation can have highervisual quality (e.g., resolution) in its front portion and lower visualquality in its back portion, where users typically view less frequently.Again, there can be many variations or other possibilities. Forinstance, in some cases, the frame rate of video playback for the backportion can be less than that of the front portion.

FIG. 6A illustrates an example scenario 600 associated with mappingspherical media to a three dimensional geometrical object with aconverged point, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.In some instances, various embodiments of the disclosed technology canacquire a spherical media content item 602. A three dimensionalgeometrical object 604 including a base 606 and one or more object sidesconnected to the base can be selected. The one or more object sides canextend backward and narrow progressively to a converged point 608. Thespherical media content item 602 can be mapped onto the threedimensional geometrical object 604. A front portion of the sphericalmedia content item 602 can be mapped onto at least a portion of the base606. A back portion of the spherical media content item can be mappedonto at least a portion of the one or more object sides.

As shown in the example scenario 600, in an embodiment, the threedimensional geometrical object 604 can be associated a pyramid shape.The base 606 can be associated with a diamond shape. A top sub-portionof the front portion of the spherical media content item 602 can bemapped to a top area of the diamond shape. A bottom sub-portion of thefront portion of the spherical media content item 602 can be mapped to abottom area of the diamond shape. A left sub-portion of the frontportion of the spherical media content item 602 can be mapped to a leftarea of the diamond shape. A right sub-portion of the front portion ofthe spherical media content item 602 can be mapped to a right area ofthe diamond shape. Additionally, in an embodiment, the one or moreobject sides includes four triangles, as shown in FIG. 6A.

Moreover, in an embodiment, mapping the spherical media content itemonto the three dimensional geometrical object can produce a highergraphical quality at the base relative to progressively lower graphicalqualities in the one or more object sides. This can be beneficialbecause users typically spend more time viewing the base, whichcorresponds to the front portion of the spherical media content item.Furthermore, the diamond shape can be advantageous because userstypically spend more time viewing the center and corners of the diamondshape (top, bottom, left, and right) rather than the center and cornersof a square or rectangular shape (top left, top right, bottom left,bottom right). For instance, users are more likely to move their headsup and down, and left and right, rather than diagonally.

FIG. 6B illustrates an example scenario 620 associated with mappingspherical media to a three dimensional geometrical object with aconverged point, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.The example scenario 620 illustrates the spherical media content item602 of FIG. 6A. However, in the example scenario 620 of FIG. 6B, the oneor more object sides of the three dimensional geometrical object 604 areshown to be folded outward and brought into the same plane as the base606.

FIG. 6C illustrates an example scenario 640 associated with mappingspherical media to a three dimensional geometrical object with aconverged point, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.The example scenario 640 illustrates a spherical media content item 642and a three dimensional geometrical object 644 with a base 646. In thisexample scenario 640, the base 646 of the three dimensional geometricalobject 644 corresponds to a diamond having a width that is longer inthan its height. Accordingly, when the front portion of the sphericalmedia content item 642 is mapped onto the base 646, users can view morecontent horizontally than vertically. Many variations are possible.

FIG. 6D illustrates an example scenario 660 associated with mappingspherical media to a three dimensional geometrical object with aconverged point, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.The example scenario 660 illustrates the spherical media content item622 of FIG. 6C. However, in the example scenario 660 of FIG. 6D, the oneor more object sides (e.g., a first triangle 632, a second triangle 634,a third triangle 636, a fourth triangle 638) of the three dimensionalgeometrical object 624 are shown to be folded outward and brought intothe same plane as the base 626.

FIG. 6E illustrates an example scenario 680 associated with mappingspherical media to a three dimensional geometrical object with aconverged point, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.In an embodiment, the diamond shape (associated with the base 626) canbe fitted within a virtual rectangle 682. This can improve dataefficiency, such as for transmission and/or video compression. A toppoint of the diamond shape can be in contact with a top side (e.g., atop edge, a top border, etc.) of the virtual rectangle 682. A bottompoint of the diamond shape can be in contact with a bottom side of thevirtual rectangle 682. A left point of the diamond shape can be incontact with a left side of the virtual rectangle 682. A right point ofthe diamond shape can be in contact with a right side of the virtualrectangle 682.

In an embodiment, the four triangles (e.g., a first triangle 632, asecond triangle 634, a third triangle 636, a fourth triangle 638) can befitted within the virtual rectangle 682, as shown in the examplescenario 680. At least a respective portion of each of the fourtriangles can form a respective corner of the virtual rectangle 682.

In an embodiment, the virtual rectangle 682 can be transmitted forpresentation. A pyramidal representation of the spherical media contentitem can be enabled to be presented. Many variations are possible.

FIG. 6F illustrates an example scenario 690 associated with mappingspherical media to a three dimensional geometrical object with aconverged point, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.In this example scenario 690, the base 696 can be associated with anoval shape and the three dimensional geometrical object can beassociated with a cone shape or a teardrop shape. As shown in FIG. 6F,the base 696 and the one or more object sides can be fitted into avirtual rectangle 692 for improved data efficiency (e.g., datatransmission, data compression, etc.).

Again, it is contemplated that all examples herein are provided forillustrative purposes and that there can be many variations or otherpossibilities associated with the disclosed technology. As discussedabove, various embodiments of the disclosed technology can acquire aspherical media content item. A three dimensional geometrical objectincluding a base and one or more object sides connected to the base canbe selected. The one or more object sides can extend backward and narrowprogressively to a converged point. The spherical media content item canbe mapped onto the three dimensional geometrical object. A front portionof the spherical media content item can be mapped onto at least aportion of the base. A back portion of the spherical media content itemcan be mapped onto at least a portion of the one or more object sides.In an embodiment, the three dimensional geometrical object can beassociated with at least one of a pyramid shape, a cone shape, or ateardrop shape.

In an embodiment, the base can be associated with at least one of arectangular shape, a diamond shape, a circular shape, an oval shape, ora spherical portion shape.

In an embodiment, a respective set of two edges included with each ofthe four triangles can be expanded outward. The two edges can benonadjacent to the base. The back portion of the spherical media contentitem can be mapped onto at least a portion of the each of the fourtriangles including the respective set of two edges.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example method 700 for presenting content,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It should beappreciated that there can be additional, fewer, or alternative stepsperformed in similar or alternative orders, or in parallel, within thescope of the various embodiments discussed herein unless otherwisestated.

At block 702, at least one content item to be presented is determined,the content item being composed using a set of content streams thatcapture at least one scene from a plurality of different positions. Atblock 704, a viewport interface for presenting the content item isdetermined, wherein the viewport interface is associated with a viewportshape. At block 706, the viewport interface is provided through adisplay, wherein at least one content stream is presented through theviewport interface, and wherein a portion of the content stream thatcorresponds to a region inside of the viewport shape is presented at afirst content quality.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example method 800 for presenting content,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It should beappreciated that there can be additional, fewer, or alternative stepsperformed in similar or alternative orders, or in parallel, within thescope of the various embodiments discussed herein unless otherwisestated.

At block 802, a spherical media content item that captures at least onescene from a plurality of different positions is obtained. At block 804,a three-dimensional object having a plurality of faces is determined,each face being associated with a respective set of original boundaries.At block 806, a respective set of expanded boundaries for one or more ofthe plurality of faces is determined. At block 808, respective portionsof the spherical media content item are mapped to each of the one ormore faces, wherein a first portion of the spherical media content itemis mapped to a first face having a set of expanded boundaries.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example method 900 for presenting content,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It should beappreciated that there can be additional, fewer, or alternative stepsperformed in similar or alternative orders, or in parallel, within thescope of the various embodiments discussed herein unless otherwisestated.

At block 902, a spherical media content item that captures at least onescene from a plurality of different positions is obtained. At block 904,a three-dimensional object with a plurality of faces that converge at apoint is determined. At block 906, at least a first portion of thespherical media content item is mapped to at least a first face in theplurality of faces.

It is contemplated that there can be many other uses, applications,features, possibilities, and/or variations associated with the variousembodiments of the present disclosure. In one example, the users can, insome cases, choose whether or not to opt-in to utilize the disclosedtechnology. The disclosed technology can, for instance, also ensure thatvarious privacy settings and preferences are maintained and can preventprivate information from being divulged. In another example, variousembodiments of the present disclosure can learn, improve, and/or berefined over time (e.g., using machine learning or other statisticaltechniques).

Social Networking System—Example Implementation

FIG. 10 illustrates a network diagram of an example system 1000 that canbe utilized in various scenarios, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure. The system 1000 includes one or more userdevices 1010, one or more external systems 1020, a social networkingsystem (or service) 1030, and a network 1050. In an embodiment, thesocial networking service, provider, and/or system discussed inconnection with the embodiments described above may be implemented asthe social networking system 1030. For purposes of illustration, theembodiment of the system 1000, shown by FIG. 10, includes a singleexternal system 1020 and a single user device 1010. However, in otherembodiments, the system 1000 may include more user devices 1010 and/ormore external systems 1020. In certain embodiments, the socialnetworking system 1030 is operated by a social network provider, whereasthe external systems 1020 are separate from the social networking system1030 in that they may be operated by different entities. In variousembodiments, however, the social networking system 1030 and the externalsystems 1020 operate in conjunction to provide social networkingservices to users (or members) of the social networking system 1030. Inthis sense, the social networking system 1030 provides a platform orbackbone, which other systems, such as external systems 1020, may use toprovide social networking services and functionalities to users acrossthe Internet. In some embodiments, the social networking system 1030 caninclude or correspond to a social media system (or service).

The user device 1010 comprises one or more computing devices (orsystems) that can receive input from a user and transmit and receivedata via the network 1050. In one embodiment, the user device 1010 is aconventional computer system executing, for example, a Microsoft Windowscompatible operating system (OS), Apple OS X, and/or a Linuxdistribution. In another embodiment, the user device 1010 can be acomputing device or a device having computer functionality, such as asmart-phone, a tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobiletelephone, a laptop computer, a wearable device (e.g., a pair ofglasses, a watch, a bracelet, etc.), a camera, an appliance, etc. Theuser device 1010 is configured to communicate via the network 1050. Theuser device 1010 can execute an application, for example, a browserapplication that allows a user of the user device 1010 to interact withthe social networking system 1030. In another embodiment, the userdevice 1010 interacts with the social networking system 1030 through anapplication programming interface (API) provided by the native operatingsystem of the user device 1010, such as iOS and ANDROID. The user device1010 is configured to communicate with the external system 1020 and thesocial networking system 1030 via the network 1050, which may compriseany combination of local area and/or wide area networks, using wiredand/or wireless communication systems.

In one embodiment, the network 1050 uses standard communicationstechnologies and protocols. Thus, the network 1050 can include linksusing technologies such as Ethernet, 802.11, worldwide interoperabilityfor microwave access (WiMAX), 3G, 4G, CDMA, GSM, LTE, digital subscriberline (DSL), etc. Similarly, the networking protocols used on the network1050 can include multiprotocol label switching (MPLS), transmissioncontrol protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), User Datagram Protocol(UDP), hypertext transport protocol (HTTP), simple mail transferprotocol (SMTP), file transfer protocol (FTP), and the like. The dataexchanged over the network 1050 can be represented using technologiesand/or formats including hypertext markup language (HTML) and extensiblemarkup language (XML). In addition, all or some links can be encryptedusing conventional encryption technologies such as secure sockets layer(SSL), transport layer security (TLS), and Internet Protocol security(IPsec).

In one embodiment, the user device 1010 may display content from theexternal system 1020 and/or from the social networking system 1030 byprocessing a markup language document 1014 received from the externalsystem 1020 and from the social networking system 1030 using a browserapplication 1012. The markup language document 1014 identifies contentand one or more instructions describing formatting or presentation ofthe content. By executing the instructions included in the markuplanguage document 1014, the browser application 1012 displays theidentified content using the format or presentation described by themarkup language document 1014. For example, the markup language document1014 includes instructions for generating and displaying a web pagehaving multiple frames that include text and/or image data retrievedfrom the external system 1020 and the social networking system 1030. Invarious embodiments, the markup language document 1014 comprises a datafile including extensible markup language (XML) data, extensiblehypertext markup language (XHTML) data, or other markup language data.Additionally, the markup language document 1014 may include JavaScriptObject Notation (JSON) data, JSON with padding (JSONP), and JavaScriptdata to facilitate data-interchange between the external system 1020 andthe user device 1010. The browser application 1012 on the user device1010 may use a JavaScript compiler to decode the markup languagedocument 1014.

The markup language document 1014 may also include, or link to,applications or application frameworks such as FLASH™ or Unity™applications, the Silverlight™ application framework, etc.

In one embodiment, the user device 1010 also includes one or morecookies 1016 including data indicating whether a user of the user device1010 is logged into the social networking system 1030, which may enablemodification of the data communicated from the social networking system1030 to the user device 1010.

The external system 1020 includes one or more web servers that includeone or more web pages 1022 a, 1022 b, which are communicated to the userdevice 1010 using the network 1050. The external system 1020 is separatefrom the social networking system 1030. For example, the external system1020 is associated with a first domain, while the social networkingsystem 1030 is associated with a separate social networking domain. Webpages 1022 a, 1022 b, included in the external system 1020, comprisemarkup language documents 1014 identifying content and includinginstructions specifying formatting or presentation of the identifiedcontent.

The social networking system 1030 includes one or more computing devicesfor a social network, including a plurality of users, and providingusers of the social network with the ability to communicate and interactwith other users of the social network. In some instances, the socialnetwork can be represented by a graph, i.e., a data structure includingedges and nodes. Other data structures can also be used to represent thesocial network, including but not limited to databases, objects,classes, meta elements, files, or any other data structure. The socialnetworking system 1030 may be administered, managed, or controlled by anoperator. The operator of the social networking system 1030 may be ahuman being, an automated application, or a series of applications formanaging content, regulating policies, and collecting usage metricswithin the social networking system 1030. Any type of operator may beused.

Users may join the social networking system 1030 and then addconnections to any number of other users of the social networking system1030 to whom they desire to be connected. As used herein, the term“friend” refers to any other user of the social networking system 1030to whom a user has formed a connection, association, or relationship viathe social networking system 1030. For example, in an embodiment, ifusers in the social networking system 1030 are represented as nodes inthe social graph, the term “friend” can refer to an edge formed betweenand directly connecting two user nodes.

Connections may be added explicitly by a user or may be automaticallycreated by the social networking system 1030 based on commoncharacteristics of the users (e.g., users who are alumni of the sameeducational institution). For example, a first user specifically selectsa particular other user to be a friend. Connections in the socialnetworking system 1030 are usually in both directions, but need not be,so the terms “user” and “friend” depend on the frame of reference.Connections between users of the social networking system 1030 areusually bilateral (“two-way”), or “mutual,” but connections may also beunilateral, or “one-way.” For example, if Bob and Joe are both users ofthe social networking system 1030 and connected to each other, Bob andJoe are each other's connections. If, on the other hand, Bob wishes toconnect to Joe to view data communicated to the social networking system1030 by Joe, but Joe does not wish to form a mutual connection, aunilateral connection may be established. The connection between usersmay be a direct connection; however, some embodiments of the socialnetworking system 1030 allow the connection to be indirect via one ormore levels of connections or degrees of separation.

In addition to establishing and maintaining connections between usersand allowing interactions between users, the social networking system1030 provides users with the ability to take actions on various types ofitems supported by the social networking system 1030. These items mayinclude groups or networks (i.e., social networks of people, entities,and concepts) to which users of the social networking system 1030 maybelong, events or calendar entries in which a user might be interested,computer-based applications that a user may use via the socialnetworking system 1030, transactions that allow users to buy or sellitems via services provided by or through the social networking system1030, and interactions with advertisements that a user may perform on oroff the social networking system 1030. These are just a few examples ofthe items upon which a user may act on the social networking system1030, and many others are possible. A user may interact with anythingthat is capable of being represented in the social networking system1030 or in the external system 1020, separate from the social networkingsystem 1030, or coupled to the social networking system 1030 via thenetwork 1050.

The social networking system 1030 is also capable of linking a varietyof entities. For example, the social networking system 1030 enablesusers to interact with each other as well as external systems 1020 orother entities through an API, a web service, or other communicationchannels. The social networking system 1030 generates and maintains the“social graph” comprising a plurality of nodes interconnected by aplurality of edges. Each node in the social graph may represent anentity that can act on another node and/or that can be acted on byanother node. The social graph may include various types of nodes.Examples of types of nodes include users, non-person entities, contentitems, web pages, groups, activities, messages, concepts, and any otherthings that can be represented by an object in the social networkingsystem 1030. An edge between two nodes in the social graph may representa particular kind of connection, or association, between the two nodes,which may result from node relationships or from an action that wasperformed by one of the nodes on the other node. In some cases, theedges between nodes can be weighted. The weight of an edge can representan attribute associated with the edge, such as a strength of theconnection or association between nodes. Different types of edges can beprovided with different weights. For example, an edge created when oneuser “likes” another user may be given one weight, while an edge createdwhen a user befriends another user may be given a different weight.

As an example, when a first user identifies a second user as a friend,an edge in the social graph is generated connecting a node representingthe first user and a second node representing the second user. Asvarious nodes relate or interact with each other, the social networkingsystem 1030 modifies edges connecting the various nodes to reflect therelationships and interactions.

The social networking system 1030 also includes user-generated content,which enhances a user's interactions with the social networking system1030. User-generated content may include anything a user can add,upload, send, or “post” to the social networking system 1030. Forexample, a user communicates posts to the social networking system 1030from a user device 1010. Posts may include data such as status updatesor other textual data, location information, images such as photos,videos, links, music or other similar data and/or media. Content mayalso be added to the social networking system 1030 by a third party.Content “items” are represented as objects in the social networkingsystem 1030. In this way, users of the social networking system 1030 areencouraged to communicate with each other by posting text and contentitems of various types of media through various communication channels.Such communication increases the interaction of users with each otherand increases the frequency with which users interact with the socialnetworking system 1030.

The social networking system 1030 includes a web server 1032, an APIrequest server 1034, a user profile store 1036, a connection store 1038,an action logger 1040, an activity log 1042, and an authorization server1044. In an embodiment of the invention, the social networking system1030 may include additional, fewer, or different components for variousapplications. Other components, such as network interfaces, securitymechanisms, load balancers, failover servers, management and networkoperations consoles, and the like are not shown so as to not obscure thedetails of the system.

The user profile store 1036 maintains information about user accounts,including biographic, demographic, and other types of descriptiveinformation, such as work experience, educational history, hobbies orpreferences, location, and the like that has been declared by users orinferred by the social networking system 1030. This information isstored in the user profile store 1036 such that each user is uniquelyidentified. The social networking system 1030 also stores datadescribing one or more connections between different users in theconnection store 1038. The connection information may indicate users whohave similar or common work experience, group memberships, hobbies, oreducational history. Additionally, the social networking system 1030includes user-defined connections between different users, allowingusers to specify their relationships with other users. For example,user-defined connections allow users to generate relationships withother users that parallel the users' real-life relationships, such asfriends, co-workers, partners, and so forth. Users may select frompredefined types of connections, or define their own connection types asneeded. Connections with other nodes in the social networking system1030, such as non-person entities, buckets, cluster centers, images,interests, pages, external systems, concepts, and the like are alsostored in the connection store 1038.

The social networking system 1030 maintains data about objects withwhich a user may interact. To maintain this data, the user profile store1036 and the connection store 1038 store instances of the correspondingtype of objects maintained by the social networking system 1030. Eachobject type has information fields that are suitable for storinginformation appropriate to the type of object. For example, the userprofile store 1036 contains data structures with fields suitable fordescribing a user's account and information related to a user's account.When a new object of a particular type is created, the social networkingsystem 1030 initializes a new data structure of the corresponding type,assigns a unique object identifier to it, and begins to add data to theobject as needed. This might occur, for example, when a user becomes auser of the social networking system 1030, the social networking system1030 generates a new instance of a user profile in the user profilestore 1036, assigns a unique identifier to the user account, and beginsto populate the fields of the user account with information provided bythe user.

The connection store 1038 includes data structures suitable fordescribing a user's connections to other users, connections to externalsystems 1020 or connections to other entities. The connection store 1038may also associate a connection type with a user's connections, whichmay be used in conjunction with the user's privacy setting to regulateaccess to information about the user. In an embodiment of the invention,the user profile store 1036 and the connection store 1038 may beimplemented as a federated database.

Data stored in the connection store 1038, the user profile store 1036,and the activity log 1042 enables the social networking system 1030 togenerate the social graph that uses nodes to identify various objectsand edges connecting nodes to identify relationships between differentobjects. For example, if a first user establishes a connection with asecond user in the social networking system 1030, user accounts of thefirst user and the second user from the user profile store 1036 may actas nodes in the social graph. The connection between the first user andthe second user stored by the connection store 1038 is an edge betweenthe nodes associated with the first user and the second user. Continuingthis example, the second user may then send the first user a messagewithin the social networking system 1030. The action of sending themessage, which may be stored, is another edge between the two nodes inthe social graph representing the first user and the second user.Additionally, the message itself may be identified and included in thesocial graph as another node connected to the nodes representing thefirst user and the second user.

In another example, a first user may tag a second user in an image thatis maintained by the social networking system 1030 (or, alternatively,in an image maintained by another system outside of the socialnetworking system 1030). The image may itself be represented as a nodein the social networking system 1030. This tagging action may createedges between the first user and the second user as well as create anedge between each of the users and the image, which is also a node inthe social graph. In yet another example, if a user confirms attendingan event, the user and the event are nodes obtained from the userprofile store 1036, where the attendance of the event is an edge betweenthe nodes that may be retrieved from the activity log 1042. Bygenerating and maintaining the social graph, the social networkingsystem 1030 includes data describing many different types of objects andthe interactions and connections among those objects, providing a richsource of socially relevant information.

The web server 1032 links the social networking system 1030 to one ormore user devices 1010 and/or one or more external systems 1020 via thenetwork 1050. The web server 1032 serves web pages, as well as otherweb-related content, such as Java, JavaScript, Flash, XML, and so forth.The web server 1032 may include a mail server or other messagingfunctionality for receiving and routing messages between the socialnetworking system 1030 and one or more user devices 1010. The messagescan be instant messages, queued messages (e.g., email), text and SMSmessages, or any other suitable messaging format.

The API request server 1034 allows one or more external systems 1020 anduser devices 1010 to call access information from the social networkingsystem 1030 by calling one or more API functions. The API request server1034 may also allow external systems 1020 to send information to thesocial networking system 1030 by calling APIs. The external system 1020,in one embodiment, sends an API request to the social networking system1030 via the network 1050, and the API request server 1034 receives theAPI request. The API request server 1034 processes the request bycalling an API associated with the API request to generate anappropriate response, which the API request server 1034 communicates tothe external system 1020 via the network 1050. For example, responsiveto an API request, the API request server 1034 collects data associatedwith a user, such as the user's connections that have logged into theexternal system 1020, and communicates the collected data to theexternal system 1020. In another embodiment, the user device 1010communicates with the social networking system 1030 via APIs in the samemanner as external systems 1020.

The action logger 1040 is capable of receiving communications from theweb server 1032 about user actions on and/or off the social networkingsystem 1030. The action logger 1040 populates the activity log 1042 withinformation about user actions, enabling the social networking system1030 to discover various actions taken by its users within the socialnetworking system 1030 and outside of the social networking system 1030.Any action that a particular user takes with respect to another node onthe social networking system 1030 may be associated with each user'saccount, through information maintained in the activity log 1042 or in asimilar database or other data repository. Examples of actions taken bya user within the social networking system 1030 that are identified andstored may include, for example, adding a connection to another user,sending a message to another user, reading a message from another user,viewing content associated with another user, attending an event postedby another user, posting an image, attempting to post an image, or otheractions interacting with another user or another object. When a usertakes an action within the social networking system 1030, the action isrecorded in the activity log 1042. In one embodiment, the socialnetworking system 1030 maintains the activity log 1042 as a database ofentries. When an action is taken within the social networking system1030, an entry for the action is added to the activity log 1042. Theactivity log 1042 may be referred to as an action log.

Additionally, user actions may be associated with concepts and actionsthat occur within an entity outside of the social networking system1030, such as an external system 1020 that is separate from the socialnetworking system 1030. For example, the action logger 1040 may receivedata describing a user's interaction with an external system 1020 fromthe web server 1032. In this example, the external system 1020 reports auser's interaction according to structured actions and objects in thesocial graph.

Other examples of actions where a user interacts with an external system1020 include a user expressing an interest in an external system 1020 oranother entity, a user posting a comment to the social networking system1030 that discusses an external system 1020 or a web page 1022 a withinthe external system 1020, a user posting to the social networking system1030 a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) or other identifier associatedwith an external system 1020, a user attending an event associated withan external system 1020, or any other action by a user that is relatedto an external system 1020. Thus, the activity log 1042 may includeactions describing interactions between a user of the social networkingsystem 1030 and an external system 1020 that is separate from the socialnetworking system 1030.

The authorization server 1044 enforces one or more privacy settings ofthe users of the social networking system 1030. A privacy setting of auser determines how particular information associated with a user can beshared. The privacy setting comprises the specification of particularinformation associated with a user and the specification of the entityor entities with whom the information can be shared. Examples ofentities with which information can be shared may include other users,applications, external systems 1020, or any entity that can potentiallyaccess the information. The information that can be shared by a usercomprises user account information, such as profile photos, phonenumbers associated with the user, user's connections, actions taken bythe user such as adding a connection, changing user profile information,and the like.

The privacy setting specification may be provided at different levels ofgranularity. For example, the privacy setting may identify specificinformation to be shared with other users; the privacy settingidentifies a work phone number or a specific set of related information,such as, personal information including profile photo, home phonenumber, and status. Alternatively, the privacy setting may apply to allthe information associated with the user. The specification of the setof entities that can access particular information can also be specifiedat various levels of granularity. Various sets of entities with whichinformation can be shared may include, for example, all friends of theuser, all friends of friends, all applications, or all external systems1020. One embodiment allows the specification of the set of entities tocomprise an enumeration of entities. For example, the user may provide alist of external systems 1020 that are allowed to access certaininformation. Another embodiment allows the specification to comprise aset of entities along with exceptions that are not allowed to access theinformation. For example, a user may allow all external systems 1020 toaccess the user's work information, but specify a list of externalsystems 1020 that are not allowed to access the work information.Certain embodiments call the list of exceptions that are not allowed toaccess certain information a “block list”. External systems 1020belonging to a block list specified by a user are blocked from accessingthe information specified in the privacy setting. Various combinationsof granularity of specification of information, and granularity ofspecification of entities, with which information is shared arepossible. For example, all personal information may be shared withfriends whereas all work information may be shared with friends offriends.

The authorization server 1044 contains logic to determine if certaininformation associated with a user can be accessed by a user's friends,external systems 1020, and/or other applications and entities. Theexternal system 1020 may need authorization from the authorizationserver 1044 to access the user's more private and sensitive information,such as the user's work phone number. Based on the user's privacysettings, the authorization server 1044 determines if another user, theexternal system 1020, an application, or another entity is allowed toaccess information associated with the user, including information aboutactions taken by the user.

Various embodiments of the disclosed technology, such as those discussedin reference to FIG. 1A through FIG. 9, can be implemented as, includedin, and/or operable with the social networking system 1030 (e.g., thecontent provider module 1046) and/or the user device 1010. It should beappreciated that there can be many variations or other possibilitiesassociated with the disclosed technology.

Hardware Implementation

The foregoing processes and features can be implemented by a widevariety of machine and computer system architectures and in a widevariety of network and computing environments. FIG. 11 illustrates anexample of a computer system 1100 that may be used to implement one ormore of the embodiments described herein in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. The computer system 1100 includes sets ofinstructions for causing the computer system 1100 to perform theprocesses and features discussed herein. The computer system 1100 may beconnected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the computer system 1100 may operate in the capacity of aserver machine or a client machine in a client-server networkenvironment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed)network environment. In an embodiment of the invention, the computersystem 1100 may be the social networking system 1030, the user device1010, and the external system 1120, or a component thereof. In anembodiment of the invention, the computer system 1100 may be one serveramong many that constitutes all or part of the social networking system1030.

The computer system 1100 includes a processor 1102, a cache 1104, andone or more executable modules and drivers, stored on acomputer-readable medium, directed to the processes and featuresdescribed herein. Additionally, the computer system 1100 includes a highperformance input/output (I/O) bus 1106 and a standard I/O bus 1108. Ahost bridge 1110 couples processor 1102 to high performance I/O bus1106, whereas I/O bus bridge 1112 couples the two buses 1106 and 1108 toeach other. A system memory 1114 and one or more network interfaces 1116couple to high performance I/O bus 1106. The computer system 1100 mayfurther include video memory and a display device coupled to the videomemory (not shown). Mass storage 1118 and I/O ports 1120 couple to thestandard I/O bus 1108. The computer system 1100 may optionally include akeyboard and pointing device, a display device, or other input/outputdevices (not shown) coupled to the standard I/O bus 1108. Collectively,these elements are intended to represent a broad category of computerhardware systems, including but not limited to computer systems based onthe x86-compatible processors manufactured by Intel Corporation of SantaClara, Calif., and the x86-compatible processors manufactured byAdvanced Micro Devices (AMD), Inc., of Sunnyvale, Calif., as well as anyother suitable processor.

An operating system manages and controls the operation of the computersystem 1100, including the input and output of data to and from softwareapplications (not shown). The operating system provides an interfacebetween the software applications being executed on the system and thehardware components of the system. Any suitable operating system may beused, such as the LINUX Operating System, the Apple Macintosh OperatingSystem, available from Apple Computer Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., UNIXoperating systems, Microsoft® Windows® operating systems, BSD operatingsystems, and the like. Other implementations are possible.

The elements of the computer system 1100 are described in greater detailbelow. In particular, the network interface 1116 provides communicationbetween the computer system 1100 and any of a wide range of networks,such as an Ethernet (e.g., IEEE 802.3) network, a backplane, etc. Themass storage 1118 provides permanent storage for the data andprogramming instructions to perform the above-described processes andfeatures implemented by the respective computing systems identifiedabove, whereas the system memory 1114 (e.g., DRAM) provides temporarystorage for the data and programming instructions when executed by theprocessor 1102. The I/O ports 1120 may be one or more serial and/orparallel communication ports that provide communication betweenadditional peripheral devices, which may be coupled to the computersystem 1100.

The computer system 1100 may include a variety of system architectures,and various components of the computer system 1100 may be rearranged.For example, the cache 1104 may be on-chip with processor 1102.Alternatively, the cache 1104 and the processor 1102 may be packedtogether as a “processor module”, with processor 1102 being referred toas the “processor core”. Furthermore, certain embodiments of theinvention may neither require nor include all of the above components.For example, peripheral devices coupled to the standard I/O bus 1108 maycouple to the high performance I/O bus 1106. In addition, in someembodiments, only a single bus may exist, with the components of thecomputer system 1100 being coupled to the single bus. Moreover, thecomputer system 1100 may include additional components, such asadditional processors, storage devices, or memories.

In general, the processes and features described herein may beimplemented as part of an operating system or a specific application,component, program, object, module, or series of instructions referredto as “programs”. For example, one or more programs may be used toexecute specific processes described herein. The programs typicallycomprise one or more instructions in various memory and storage devicesin the computer system 1100 that, when read and executed by one or moreprocessors, cause the computer system 1100 to perform operations toexecute the processes and features described herein. The processes andfeatures described herein may be implemented in software, firmware,hardware (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit), or anycombination thereof.

In one implementation, the processes and features described herein areimplemented as a series of executable modules run by the computer system1100, individually or collectively in a distributed computingenvironment. The foregoing modules may be realized by hardware,executable modules stored on a computer-readable medium (ormachine-readable medium), or a combination of both. For example, themodules may comprise a plurality or series of instructions to beexecuted by a processor in a hardware system, such as the processor1102. Initially, the series of instructions may be stored on a storagedevice, such as the mass storage 1118. However, the series ofinstructions can be stored on any suitable computer readable storagemedium. Furthermore, the series of instructions need not be storedlocally, and could be received from a remote storage device, such as aserver on a network, via the network interface 1116. The instructionsare copied from the storage device, such as the mass storage 1118, intothe system memory 1114 and then accessed and executed by the processor1102. In various implementations, a module or modules can be executed bya processor or multiple processors in one or multiple locations, such asmultiple servers in a parallel processing environment.

Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to,recordable type media such as volatile and non-volatile memory devices;solid state memories; floppy and other removable disks; hard diskdrives; magnetic media; optical disks (e.g., Compact Disk Read-OnlyMemory (CD ROMS), Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs)); other similarnon-transitory (or transitory), tangible (or non-tangible) storagemedium; or any type of medium suitable for storing, encoding, orcarrying a series of instructions for execution by the computer system1100 to perform any one or more of the processes and features describedherein.

For purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the description. It will beapparent, however, to one skilled in the art that embodiments of thedisclosure can be practiced without these specific details. In someinstances, modules, structures, processes, features, and devices areshown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the description.In other instances, functional block diagrams and flow diagrams areshown to represent data and logic flows. The components of blockdiagrams and flow diagrams (e.g., modules, blocks, structures, devices,features, etc.) may be variously combined, separated, removed,reordered, and replaced in a manner other than as expressly describedand depicted herein.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”,“other embodiments”, “one series of embodiments”, “some embodiments”,“various embodiments”, or the like means that a particular feature,design, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Theappearances of, for example, the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in anembodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternativeembodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, whetheror not there is express reference to an “embodiment” or the like,various features are described, which may be variously combined andincluded in some embodiments, but also variously omitted in otherembodiments. Similarly, various features are described that may bepreferences or requirements for some embodiments, but not otherembodiments. Furthermore, reference in this specification to “based on”can mean “based, at least in part, on”, “based on at least aportion/part of”, “at least a portion/part of which is based on”, and/orany combination thereof.

The language used herein has been principally selected for readabilityand instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected todelineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is thereforeintended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detaileddescription, but rather by any claims that issue on an application basedhereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the inventionis intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of theinvention, which is set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method comprising:obtaining, by a computing system, a spherical media content item thatcaptures at least one scene from a plurality of different positions;determining, by the computing system, a three-dimensional object havinga plurality of faces, each face being associated with a respective setof original boundaries; determining, by the computing system, arespective set of expanded boundaries for one or more of the pluralityof faces, wherein a set of expanded boundaries corresponding to at leasta first face are determined based at least in part on an adjustedmapping angle; and mapping, by the computing system, respective portionsof the spherical media content item to each of the one or more faces,wherein a first portion of the spherical media content item is projectedonto the first face at the adjusted mapping angle.
 2. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, the method further comprising:determining, by the computing system, a mapping angle for projecting thefirst portion of the spherical media content item to the first face ofthe three-dimensional object based at least in part on a set of originalboundaries corresponding to the first face; and adjusting, by thecomputing system, the mapping angle, wherein the first portion of thespherical media content item is projected onto the first face at theadjusted mapping angle.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2,wherein the adjusted mapping angle is greater than the mapping angle. 4.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein mapping respectiveportions of the spherical media content item to each of the one or morefaces further comprises: causing, by the computing system, a secondportion of the spherical media content item to be projected to a secondface of the three-dimensional object, the second face having a set ofexpanded boundaries, wherein the second face is adjacent to the firstface, and wherein the projected first portion and the projected secondportion overlap at least partially.
 5. The computer-implemented methodof claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional object is a cube, and whereina respective portion of the spherical media content item is mapped toeach face of the cube.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5,wherein a top view portion of the spherical media content item is mappedto a top view square in the cube, a left view portion of the sphericalmedia content item is mapped to a left view square in the cube, a rightview portion of the spherical media content item is mapped to a rightview square in the cube, a front view portion of the spherical mediacontent item is mapped to a front view square in the cube, a back viewportion of the spherical media content item is mapped to a back viewsquare in the cube, and a bottom view portion of the spherical mediacontent item is mapped to a bottom view square in the cube.
 7. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, the method further comprising:applying, by the computing system, an image obscuring process to atleast a portion of the first face.
 8. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 7, wherein applying the image obscuring process further comprises:applying, by the computing system, a low-pass filter to the portion ofthe first face.
 9. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, whereinapplying the image obscuring process further comprises: applying, by thecomputing system, a blur to the portion of the first face.
 10. A systemcomprising: at least one processor; and a memory storing instructionsthat, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system toperform: obtaining a spherical media content item that captures at leastone scene from a plurality of different positions; determining athree-dimensional object having a plurality of faces, each face beingassociated with a respective set of original boundaries; determining arespective set of expanded boundaries for one or more of the pluralityof faces, wherein a set of expanded boundaries corresponding to at leasta first face are determined based at least in part on an adjustedmapping angle; and mapping respective portions of the spherical mediacontent item to each of the one or more faces, wherein a first portionof the spherical media content item is projected onto the first face atthe adjusted mapping angle.
 11. The system claim 10, wherein the systemfurther performs: determining a mapping angle for projecting the firstportion of the spherical media content item to the first face of thethree-dimensional object based at least in part on a set of originalboundaries corresponding to the first face; and adjusting the mappingangle, wherein the first portion of the spherical media content item isprojected onto the first face at the adjusted mapping angle.
 12. Thesystem claim 11, wherein the adjusted mapping angle is greater than themapping angle.
 13. The system claim 10, wherein mapping respectiveportions of the spherical media content item to each of the one or morefaces further causes the system to perform: causing a second portion ofthe spherical media content item to be projected to a second face of thethree-dimensional object, the second face having a set of expandedboundaries, wherein the second face is adjacent to the first face, andwherein the projected first portion and the projected second portionoverlap at least partially.
 14. A non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium including instructions that, when executed by at leastone processor of a computing system, cause the computing system toperform a method comprising: obtaining a spherical media content itemthat captures at least one scene from a plurality of differentpositions; determining a three-dimensional object having a plurality offaces, each face being associated with a respective set of originalboundaries; determining a respective set of expanded boundaries for oneor more of the plurality of faces, wherein a set of expanded boundariescorresponding to at least a first face are determined based at least inpart on an adjusted mapping angle; and mapping respective portions ofthe spherical media content item to each of the one or more faces,wherein a first portion of the spherical media content item is projectedonto the first face at the adjusted mapping angle.
 15. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein thesystem further performs: determining a mapping angle for projecting thefirst portion of the spherical media content item to the first face ofthe three-dimensional object based at least in part on a set of originalboundaries corresponding to the first face; and adjusting the mappingangle, wherein the first portion of the spherical media content item isprojected onto the first face at the adjusted mapping angle.
 16. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein theadjusted mapping angle is greater than the mapping angle.
 17. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, whereinmapping respective portions of the spherical media content item to eachof the one or more faces further causes the system to perform: causing asecond portion of the spherical media content item to be projected to asecond face of the three-dimensional object, the second face having aset of expanded boundaries, wherein the second face is adjacent to thefirst face, and wherein the projected first portion and the projectedsecond portion overlap at least partially.